Academic Writing Clinic
A specialized training program designed to help participants grasp the fundamental principles of academic writing and address specific challenges they encounter in the writing process.
Program pelatihan khusus untuk membantu peserta memahami prinsip-prinsip dasar menulis akademis dan mengatasi kesulitan tertentu yang mereka hadapi dalam proses penulisan.
| NUMBER OF PARTICIPANT(S) | 1 – 3 people |
| PRICE | Rp.1.500.000 |
| NUMBER OF MEETING(S) | 10 meetings (@60 minutes) |
| MODE (OPTIONAL) | √ offline |
| √ online | |
| √ asynchronous |
Registration: +62 851-6303-8910
Writing Resources
Academic writing is the type of writing you use for school assignments and college papers. It is different from creative writing, like when you write stories, and also different from personal writing, such as when you send letters or emails to friends and family. In creative and personal writing, it’s okay to use slang, abbreviations, and incomplete sentences because they are informal. However, academic writing is formal, so you should avoid slang and contractions. It’s important to use complete sentences and follow a specific structure. If English is not your first language, academic writing in English might be different from what you are used to. The vocabulary, grammar, and way of organizing ideas may not be the same as in your native language (Oshima & Hogue, 2007). Hence, academic writing involves learning a new set of rules, which can be different depending on the subject area. The expectations, audience, and purpose of writing also change based on the writing situation. For students who are not native English speakers, the differences between previous writing experiences and the expectations in an academic setting can make it even more challenging (Dong, 1997). Writing academically can seem daunting, but by breaking the process down into manageable steps, you can produce clear, structured, and polished papers. Hence, needless to say, “writing is best done in a sequence” (Wilson, p. 16). Below, we outline the essential stages of academic writing:
1. Prewriting: Researching
The first step in the academic writing process is prewriting, which is “a way to get ideas” (Oshima & Hogue, 2007, p. 16) through conducting thorough research. At this point, you pick a topic and gather ideas to discuss it. This stage is important because it forms the foundation of your writing. Remember, you need to invest a lot of time in conducting research. Research may have meant simply using Google and Wikipedia, but academic writing will require you to seek more detailed information from credible sources such as libraries, online databases of scholarly articles, and other crucial materials from academics and experts (Lowe & Zemliansky, 2010).
Tips for Effective Research:
Define Your Topic: Narrow down your topic by using listing and develop a clear research question or thesis statement. A focused question will guide your research and keep it relevant.
Use Credible Sources: Look for sources such as academic journals, books, and reputable websites (e.g., Google Scholar, JSTOR, ResearchGate). Evaluate the credibility of the sources by checking the author’s credentials and publication date.
Take Organized Notes: As you read, take notes and keep track of your sources. Consider using a citation management tool like Zotero or Mendeley for efficient source tracking.
Synthesize Information: Analyze the information and identify key arguments, trends, and gaps in the research. Use this understanding to shape your own argument.
Helpful Links:
http://Research Process [https://www.scribbr.com/category/research-process]
http://Conducting Research (Purdue OWL)
Language functions & Research format phrasing
http://A Research Strategy (PDF)
Research Bias [https://www.scribbr.com/category/research-bias/]
Research Paper [https://www.scribbr.com/category/research-paper/]
Narrowing a Topic [https://ohiostate.pressbooks.pub/choosingsources/chapter/narrowing-a-topic/]
Ways to Narrow a Topic [https://quillbot.com/courses/college-reading-and-writing/chapter/text-ways-to-narrow-down-a-topic/]
Narrowing Your Research Topic & Results [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9n1EgLHv1lw]
Zotero [https://www.zotero.org/]
Mendeley [https://www.mendeley.com/]
2. Outlining
Outlining has long been regarded as a crucial step in the planning process for writers (Perrin, 1939; Warriner et al., 1958). Outlining helps organize your ideas before you start writing. It acts as a roadmap for your paper and ensures a logical flow of ideas. As Tan (2022) mentioned, it helps you focus on the purpose of writing so that you can logically draw your conclusion.
Steps to Create an Effective Outline:
Identify Key Sections: Break your paper into sections, such as the introduction, literature review, methodology, results, discussion, and conclusion (for research papers).
Draft the Thesis Statement: Write a clear and concise thesis statement that conveys your main argument.
Organize Main Points: List your main arguments or points and arrange them logically. Each main point should support your thesis statement.
Include Supporting Evidence: Under each main point, include supporting details or evidence from your research.
Consider the Structure: For essays, use a standard format (introduction, body paragraphs, conclusion). For research papers, ensure each section follows the academic conventions of your field.
Helpful Links:
Outlining [https://writingcenter.gmu.edu/writing-resources/writing-as-process/outlining]
How to Write Outline [https://www.grammarly.com/blog/writing-process/how-to-write-outline/]
Outlining [https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/writingcenter/writingprocess/outlining]
Creating an Outline [https://www.iup.edu/writingcenter/writing-resources/organization-and-structure/creating-an-outline.html]
Outlining [https://writingcenter.uagc.edu/outlining]
Essay Writing Handout [https://www.cl.cam.ac.uk/teaching/1718/SWSecEng/essay-cst1a-2018.pdf]
3. Writing
With your research complete and outline ready, it’s time to start writing the first draft. Writing a paper is a tedious job (Masic, 2013). Writing takes time, thus it will take weeks, months, or even years for you to get into the stage of having the final draft.
Writing Tips:
Start with the Introduction: Begin with a hook to grab the reader’s attention, followed by background information, and end with your thesis statement.
Develop Body Paragraphs: Each paragraph should focus on a single idea or argument, beginning with a topic sentence. Provide evidence and other supporting details and explain its relevance to your thesis.
Stay on Topic: Avoid straying from your main argument. Use transition words and phrases to ensure a smooth flow of ideas.
Write the Conclusion: Summarize your main points and restate the thesis in a new way. Avoid introducing new information in the conclusion.
Writing Strategies:
Free Writing: Write continuously without worrying about grammar or structure. This helps you get your ideas on paper.
Chunking: Write in sections based on your outline rather than trying to complete the entire paper in one go.
Revisit Your Thesis: Regularly check that your writing aligns with your thesis statement. Adjust your arguments if necessary.
Helpful Links:
Understand the writing process [https://www.monash.edu/student-academic-success/improve-your-academic-english/strategies-for-writing-academic-english/understand-the-writing-process]
Writing for Publication course videos by Dr. Ron Martinez (UC Berkeley)
Writing with Statistics (Purdue OWL)
Purdue OWL // Purdue Writing Lab
UsingEnglish.com – Learn English (ESL) Online
1-language.com: ESL Quizzes
Grammar Bites [http://www.chompchomp.com/]
The Grammar Aquarium: EFL/ESL Grammar Notes and Exercises
eslgold.com: Grammar
Academic Phrasebank (manchester.ac.uk) Language functions & Research format phrasing
[Academic Word List] http://www.pearsonlongman.com/ae/keystone/natl/pdf/AcademicWordList.pdf
Transitional Words [https://www.touro.edu/departments/writing-center/tutorials/transitional-words/]
Your Go-To Guide for English Grammar [https://www.grammarly.com/grammar]
Academic Writing [https://www.scribbr.com/category/academic-writing/
Academic Essay [https://www.scribbr.com/category/academic-essay/]
Sentence Structure [https://www.scribbr.com/category/sentence-structure/]
Common Mistakes [https://www.scribbr.com/category/common-mistakes/]
Fallacies [https://www.scribbr.com/category/fallacies/]
4. Citing & Referencing
Academic writing requires you to acknowledge the sources of information to avoid plagiarism and give credit to original authors. Citing, through citation, is a method of acknowledging the work of others whose creative and intellectual contributions you have used to support your research (Pandey et al., 2020). Referencing, whether through references or a bibliography, offers the necessary details to locate published, or sometimes unpublished, sources of data, research, and other materials used by the author, typically found in the final section of the paper (Kasi, 2009). The way you write your citations and references must adhere to specific standard referencing systems, which outline fixed rules regarding the type of information to include, the order in which it should appear, and the typographical formatting of each element. These rules are proposed by established institutions or recognized academic journals and publishers. Your teachers or mentors or thesis supervisor will likely ask you to follow one of the conventional systems used in the Humanities, or possibly a combination of them, or a special one approved by your department or faculty. Once you know which system to use, it is important to follow it consistently. Additionally, it is advisable to mention in the introductory or methodological chapters of your work which referencing system you are using. Why are these rules so important? They are essential because they ensure clarity and prevent misunderstandings, as scholars and researchers worldwide use these systems, making it easier for readers to follow and understand your work (Pérez Cañado & Pennock-Speck, 2015). In the context of AI tools becoming increasingly integrated into academic work, it’s also crucial to acknowledge the use of artificial intelligence in your research, particularly when AI is used for data analysis, writing assistance, or idea generation. As AI tools can influence the development of academic ideas, proper citation and transparency about their use are necessary to maintain academic integrity and clarity.
Guide to Citing:
Choose a Citation Style: Follow the required style guide for your assignment (e.g., APA, MLA, Chicago, Harvard). Each style has specific rules for formatting citations and references.
In-text Citations: When quoting or paraphrasing, include in-text citations. This usually involves the author’s last name and the year of publication (e.g., Hyland, 2005).
Guide to Referencing:
Create a Reference List: List all sources cited in your paper in a reference section at the end. Ensure the entries are formatted according to the chosen style guide.
Use Citation Tools: Tools like EndNote, RefWorks, or online generators (e.g., Citation Machine) can help format citations correctly.
Avoid Plagiarism: Always paraphrase information properly and cite the source. Using direct quotes is acceptable, but keep them to a minimum and ensure they add value to your argument.
Helpful Links:
Avoiding Plagiarism (Purdue OWL)
Quoting, Paraphrasing, and Summarizing
The Difference Between Reference and Bibliography [https://www.oxbridgeessays.com/blog/the-main-difference-between-reference-and-bibliography/#:~:text=Placement%3A%20References%20appear%20within%20the,referenced%2C%20whether%20cited%20or%20not.]
Plagiarism [https://www.scribbr.com/category/plagiarism]
Working With Sources [https://www.scribbr.com/category/working-with-sources/]
Citing Sources [https://www.scribbr.com/category/citing-sources/]
APA Style [https://www.scribbr.com/category/apa-style/]
APA Guide [https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/apa_style/apa_formatting_and_style_guide/index.html]
MLA Style [https://www.scribbr.com/category/mla/]
MLA Guide [https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/mla_style/mla_formatting_and_style_guide/index.html]
Chicago Style [https://www.scribbr.com/category/chicago-style/]
IEEE [https://www.scribbr.com/category/ieee/]
AMA [https://www.scribbr.com/category/ama/]
AI in Academic Writing [https://www.clemson.edu/centers-institutes/writing/writing-resources/writing-resources/ai-in-academic-writing.html]
AI and Academic Writing [https://www.oru.se/university-library/support-for-students/guide-to-academic-writing/ai-and-academic-writing/]
AI for Authors: Ethical & Practical Guidelines [https://selfpublishingadvice.org/ai-for-authors-guidelines/#:~:text=It%20is%20your%20job%20as,not%20unwittingly%20infringed%20someone’s%20copyright.]
https://authorsguild.org/resource/ai-best-practices-for-authors/
5. Polishing: Revising, Editing, and Proofreading
Polishing your work is best done in three stages. Start by addressing major concerns like content and structure (revising). After that, focus on minor details such as grammar, punctuation, and formatting (editing) (Oshima & Hogue, 2007, p. 18). Revising and editing are about improving the content, structure, and clarity of your paper. This step often requires multiple drafts. Revising and editing are necessary as it helps to structure understandable writings, suitable to targeted audiences, conformed linguistics rules, and compatible to organization’s and/or publisher’s goals (Mossop, 2014). Meanwhile, proofreading is the final step before submission. It involves checking for minor errors that might have been missed during the polishing process. As Gladon et al. (2011) argued, proofreading is not easy and should not be taken lightly. Writers, especially students, only see what they mean rather than what they write. (Shaughnessy, 1977). In other words, students read rather than proofread (Harris, 1987). You can invite your supervisor/s, mentor/s, family, and friends to read your writing and to tell you any mistakes still exist in your writing. In this way, you can lessen the percentage of having errors, such as typographical, grammatical, and logical mistakes.
Revising Strategies:
Check for Coherence: Ensure your ideas flow logically. Rearrange sections or paragraphs if necessary to improve the flow.
Enhance Clarity: Simplify complex sentences and use precise language. Eliminate jargon unless it’s necessary for your academic field.
Verify Argument Strength: Ensure each argument is supported by strong evidence. Add more research if you find gaps in your analysis.
Peer Review: Have a peer or mentor review your draft and provide feedback. A fresh perspective can help identify issues you may have overlooked.
Editing Tips:
Focus on Grammar and Style: Look for grammatical errors, awkward phrasing, and stylistic issues. Academic writing often prefers formal, objective language.
Consistency in Style: Maintain consistency in terms (e.g., use the same abbreviation throughout) and follow the formatting guidelines for headings and citations.
Check for Redundancy: Eliminate unnecessary words or repetitive points to enhance conciseness.
Proofreading Checklist:
Check Spelling and Punctuation: Use spelling and grammar tools, but do not rely solely on them. Double-check for commonly confused words (e.g., “their” vs. “there”).
Look for Formatting Errors: Ensure your paper follows the formatting guidelines (e.g., font size, margins, line spacing).
Read Aloud: Reading the text out loud helps catch awkward phrasing or overlooked mistakes.
Use a Checklist: Have a checklist of common errors (e.g., missing citations, incorrect verb tenses, inconsistent formatting) to guide your final review.
Final Tips:
Take a Break: Step away from your paper for a few hours or a day before proofreading. This helps you approach it with a fresh mind.
Seek Feedback: If possible, ask a trusted colleague or mentor to proofread your paper and give comments.
Helpful Links:
Proofreading [https://writing.wisc.edu/handbook/proofreading/]
Editing and Proofreading [https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/editing-and-proofreading/]
Revising & Proofreading [https://writingcenter.tamu.edu/writing-speaking-guides/revising-proofreading]
Revising, Editing, & Proofreading [https://www.jmu.edu/uwc/link-library/writing-process/revising-editing-proofreading.shtml]
References:
Lowe, C., & Zemliansky, P. (Eds.). (2010). Writing Spaces 1: Readings on Writing. Parlor Press LLC.
Mossop, B. (2014). Revising and Editing for Translators (3rd ed.). Routledge.
Oshima, A., & Hogue, A. (2007). Introduction to Academic Writing (3rd ed.). Pearson Longman.